By Sham Ali
It is often difficult to defame that which does not exist. Or as Bob Marley would say who the cap fit let them wear it.

Sam Sooppersaud was issued legal notice by USACA president Gladstone Dainty and treasurer John Thickett.

The United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) President Gladstone Dainty and treasurer John Thickett, through their legal representatives, have demanded an apology and retraction from Sam Soopersaud for content that appeared in an article on www.newyorkcricket.com

Holy sh… , Who demanded apology? Dainty and Thickett? Those guys? You sh….. me.
Quiet now, watch your language, this is a civilized audience; leave that gutter language for executive meetings. Defamation of WHAT! Character? They have that up there in the USACA? That is news to me.

Here are the comments that may constitute a possible suit of defamation, and that a retraction and apology is demanded.

1) actions were “an opportunity for self-aggrandizement,”
2) [are] a part of a “dysfunctional clique”
3) [are] a part of “a band of self -serving imposters”
4) [are] a part of an “OLD BOYS CLUB” that predetermined the outcome of organizational votes
5) [are] “in the thick” of anything inappropriate
6) that [they and their] #$@* kissers” inappropriately appointed two candidates
7) that [they are] a “slimy cheat,” and that [they were] motivated to, or actually received any inappropriate financial gain as a result of activities with the USACA.

If the above statements are not retracted and an apology is not offered, then a law suit may be in order perhaps using your money – this, after years of disappointments; of calls from the US cricket fraternity that went on deaf ears for answers and accountability of the USACA’s business practices? In this latest development the cricket fraternity could not have been more insulted by such a brazen act by an organization that is widely seen as cloaked in secrecy for some time now.

However, the cricket fraternity could not have asked for a better opportunity to bond together in this litigious society and head to court. The USACA slipped up and the cricket fraternity badly missed their chance. It will come again soon, you will see, as it is difficult to maintain consistency amidst so much unanswered questions from the USACA. If this matter had been exposed to the legal scrutiny of the USACA inner workings, the revelations would have been most interesting, albeit in a counter suit. What would the rick chick chick say or the former youth US senior citizen player say? Perhaps the secretary’s minutes from the recent USACA meeting where an ‘f-bomb’ may have fallen, testimony from the USACA executives, so too from the New York region, and the North West group would have shed some BRIGHT, BRIGHT light as to whether these statements are TRUE:

1) actions were “an opportunity for self-aggrandizement,”
2) [are] a part of a “dysfunctional clique”
3) [are] a part of “a band of self -serving imposters”
4) [are] a part of an “OLD BOYS CLUB” that predetermined the outcome of organizational votes 5) [are] “in the thick” of anything inappropriate
6) that [they and their] #$@* kissers” inappropriately appointed two candidates
7) that [they are] a “slimy cheat,” and that [they were] motivated to, or actually received any inappropriate financial gain as a result of activities with the USACA,

While Professor Sam Soopersaud in part, and ondriveupdate as a whole, has reported EXTENSIVELY and PASSIONATELY about US cricket and has asked questions that many are afraid to ask; has opened the eyes of the US cricket public that has been kept in the dark about the inner workings of the USACA; and has offered constructive interpretation and expose the limited use of the USACA constitution by the current executive board. Now this ongoing effort to continue to inform the public within the constructs of freedom of the press, this language is now construed as a personal attack on the USACA President Gladstone Dainty and Treasurer John Thickett as the date for election closes in. Professor Sam Soopersaud intended no malice, but if the move by President Gladstone Dainty and Treasurer John Thickett is to perhaps silence him, then that IS AN ABSOLUTE ABOMINATION (TOTAL DISGRACE) TO USA CRICKET, LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTER BY THE USACA. If so, it is a measure of the absolute contempt, total disregard and complete disrespect to all of us – the stakeholders of USA cricket.

The effort to deliver the truth in an attempt to inform and expose corrupted regimes around the world is not a right that is guaranteed to the citizens in a corrupted regime. Those efforts are often met by silencing of the worst kind – missing and never to be heard from again. But, in the United States of America, the first amendment rights of its citizens has been vigorously defended and at times bitterly debated, and will always be the cornerstone of this great democracy. A somewhat ‘pip-squeak like’ organization like the USACA cannot, and will never be able, to taint that right. Could this be an effort by the leadership of the USACA to silence the only voice of truth, www.ondriveupdate.com, and perhaps keep USA cricket in the dark once and for all?

Not so, news is never old and this is not over yet though. Something may be lurking to perhaps clean US cricket with a class action law suit against the USACA to give an account for the years of dues from clubs across the country that went to the USACA, so that the youths of tomorrow will not be denied of a better opportunity.

If these statements:
1) actions were “an opportunity for self-aggrandizement,”
2) [are] a part of a “dysfunctional clique”
3) [are] a part of “a band of self-serving imposters”
4) [are] a part of an “OLD BOYS CLUB” that predetermined the outcome of organizational votes 5) [are] “in the thick” of anything inappropriate
6) that [they and their] #$@* kissers” inappropriately appointed two candidates
7) that [they are] a “slimy cheat,” and that [they were] motivated to, or actually received any inappropriate financial gain as a result of activities with the USACA,

are so offensive that USACA President and Treasurer have demanded a retraction and apology and possible law suit, then it makes corrupted leaders like Sadam, Quadafi, Mugabe, Idi Amin dada, look like Cinderella in a nice white dress. Imagine if these so-called leaders filed a defamation of character suit against the press of the world, what a day of comedy that will be.

Anyway, Professor Sam Soopersaud saw it fit not to expend and waste anymore energy on US cricket. Instead he left the USACA to shout halleluliah, Long Live the USACA, and let them bask in the glory of their own created misery with perhaps no regard for us cricket fraternity. And we heartily offer the praise – God Bless the United States of America – for giving refuge to ‘humankind’ of all color, class and creed. So let the USACA leadership do whatever it desire to hold onto power like a drunk to a lamp post, while we revered The mighty Bob:

Me throw me corn
but me nah call no fowl…
And who the cap fit
let them wear it…

The views expressed here are those of the contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of www.newyorkcricket.com

Sam, you have managed to expose those who have been hiding behind walls or corruption, deceit and trickery. You spoke the truth and now they are running scared and fighting back by attempting to silence you in a free society within a democracy that encourages the First Amendment.

I encourage you to keep on writing, but not to waste your keystrokes on those who mean cricket no good in this country.

I hope the cricketers wake up and hold their league president’s feet to the fire to replace the likes of those people who are now seeking to silence others who speak for you – the average cricketer.

The belief now is that money will solve all of US cricket’s problems. What a joke, it will just bring more corruption in the ranks, fake leagues, stuffed ballot boxes, and more problems, if the likes of Dainty are still steering the ship.

Sam your finally brought back to reality by the bullying kind.join us the little guys.i am very sorry for what you have to do because the was being told.As usual the truth will always hurt.What a bunch of ass-holes

Mr Sam do not be discourage ,the innocent kids from your High School love and respect you, you are like a father figure to them ,dont ever leave them because of all the politics of mainstream Cricket. Hang in there Cricket these kids need you.